Santa Barbara is home to some of the finest dining on the central coast with delightful choices from Mexican to seafood, from spicy Italian to the popular California Cuisine. Most restaurants provide an assortment of fine wines from local Santa Barbara County wineries.
If you're looking for a romantic atmosphere, try the El Encanto at 1900 Lausen Road with it's mouth watering Mediterranean dishes and it's choice ocean vistas. What better place for delicious seafood than this city by the sea, and what better seafood can you get than the Enterprise Fish Company at 225 State Street? And while you are on historic State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, don't miss Aldo's at 1031 State Street for some of the best Italian food you've ever eaten, including an incredible wine list. Indulge yourself by enjoying your meal alfresco in their charming heated courtyard.
But no mention of Santa Barbara restaurants would be complete without reference to the popular Harbor Restaurant on Stearns Wharf for true on-the-water dining. You can't beat the view of an enormous orange sun slipping into the water in the evening. And the dining list goes on. Forget about fast food when you visit Santa Barbara. This place gives a whole new meaning to the word dining. In fact, you could spend your entire vacation just going from one superb restaurant to another, and I could write an entire article just on the Santa Barbara dining experience. I know I'd certainly enjoy doing the research.
Santa Barbara is a delightful blend of trendy and California laid-back casual. Stroll down State Street with its historic adobe and brick plazas, quaint boutiques and the sophisticated mall, Paseo Nuevo, where you will find some of the nation's finest stores.
When you get through shopping, wile away a lazy afternoon with a visit to one of the beautiful beaches. Lounge around or take a walk to collect shells or check out a multitude of sea-life in the tide pools. If you visit over the weekend, you can enjoy the work of hundreds of artists who set up their stands along East Beach. Try to squeeze in a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
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